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Kimberley man punched crocodile in nose to escape attack, ranger says

The eye of a crocodile in green water

Saltwater crocodiles pose a threat to residents and tourists in Western Australia's Kimberley region. (ABC Pilbara: Charlie McLean)

In short: 

A local man was attacked by a saltwater crocodile while spearfishing off WA's remote Kimberley coast over the weekend.

Local Bardi Jawi rangers say the man punched the reptile to escape.

What's next?

The man is recovering from the incident and local rangers are urging people to be vigilant in the Kimberley.

A Kimberley man attacked by a saltwater crocodile in Western Australia's far north has told local rangers he punched the reptile in the nose to escape. 

The local man was attacked on Saturday by a 3-metre saltwater crocodile near islands off the coast One Arm Point, a community about 2,200 kilometres north of Perth on the Dampier Peninsula.

The man declined to speak to media but confirmed details of the attack with local Bardi Jawi rangers.

A WA Country Health Service spokesperson said the man was treated at Broome Hospital for his injuries and discharged on Sunday. 

He told the rangers he was attacked while spearfishing and punched the crocodile in the nose to get away. 

Broome Hospital signage outside.

WA Country Health Service confirmed the patient had been discharged from Broome Hospital. (ABC Kimberley: Mya Kordic )

Bardi Jawi senior cultural ranger Kevin George said he knew the man.

While he did not know the extent of the man's injuries, he understood he was recovering from the ordeal.

"He was doing his normal weekend obligations [before the attack] … he was just doing his Bardi thing by feeding his family from the sea and he was attacked by this crocodile," Mr George said. 

"We're happy he's out of hospital and he'll come back and tell us a story — he's a good storyteller."

Saltwater crocodiles not uncommon

One of the man's family members also recounted how their uncle survived the attack to the rangers.

"[Their] uncle punched the croc in the face or in the nose and sort of put the croc off and he managed to probably get on the boat then," Mr George said. 

An elderly ranger in a blue shirt

Kevin George has reminded people in the Kimberley to be on the lookout for crocodiles. (Supplied: Gabrielle Timmins/Kimberley Land Council)

Mr George said the rangers heard about crocodiles being spotted in the area.

"[There are] quite a bit of sightings but no real big giants [like] 4-m crocodiles," he said.

He said most crocodiles sighted in the area were between 2–3m, and rangers removed any "rogue" reptiles.

"If you have any rogue animals and they're a danger to our people, then we're going to take measures that's going to be minimising all of this," he said.

"We have to eliminate threats to our people and our children." 

A crocodile warning sign sits on red dirt following a recent crocodile sighting in the area

Authorities regularly warn people of the threat of crocodiles in WA's Kimberley region. (ABC Kimberley: Erin Parke )

Mr George said it was important both locals and tourists approached the water safely.

"We know our people, that's our main food and our diet and with the cost of living … the sea does provide us with our diet as well," he said. 

"The advice would be we've got to observe, with not just the crocs but with the currents [and] sharks."

'Look out' for danger

Mr George said for those fishing or swimming in the Kimberley, it was vital to be vigilant.

"So observing every minute of the time you're on the boat and if you're going to be swimming somewhere, probably where beaches are," he said. 

"Always have somebody observing while you have the little ones or yourself swimming."  

A road sign

The crocodile attack happened in waters off Bardi Jawi land, north of Broome, with local rangers assisting the victim. (ABC Kimberley)

Mr George said local rangers were available to help people and provide information if needed. 

"[Crocodiles] pick up the routines, what people do, and they're already waiting for an opportunity to catch the people or to catch the remains of cuts of fish," he said. 

"So just be careful when you come up to the Kimberleys, it's a different country.

"We don't want anyone losing their lives here in Bardi country and if you're not too sure about anything here about the country, please have a talk with some of the elders."